I'm seeing a lot of repeat TSP threads (Roth vs Traditional, IRA vs TSP, contribution limits, BRS, etc). This is an attempt to consolidate all the TSP questions/answers in this thread for a few weeks/months.

Afterwards we can create a giant TSP post wiki to answer everyone's questions in one place without creating separate threads for everyone.

I find this hard to believe. From my understanding you have to buy where you are stationed with intent on living in it for a year. She claims that since she intends on living in it after service. It is located close to her home of record but I still find it hard to believe. Any insight?

Currently active duty enlisted Air Force and in the Legacy retirement. My plan is to transition to the Air Guard, finish my degree, and commission back into active duty AF. Will I automatically be put into BRS when I re-enter active duty?

Okay, I'll try to keep this brief. Im married and have a 10 week old daughter. Upon my daughter's birth, I quickly realized that 15$ an hour just isn't going to cut it to support my family. I've moved out of my apartment to another state to live with my in laws for now, I got a job at a retailer recently and I am saving as much as I can. I've already gone to MEPS and have signed up to be in a position that offers a 10,000$ bonus upon completion of technical school (the bonus was not a deciding factor for me, but it's nice to have for sure). During bmt, I will be receiving a base pay, BAH, and BAS, which comes out to roughly 2800$ a month. BMT will last roughly 2 months, then after completion I will be going to technical school for 6 months making 3,100 monthly. My in laws have already agreed that as long as we purchase our own stuff for the baby, they can handle the rest. So after BMT ill be transferring my wife 100$ weekly, which will be more than enough. Upon completion of everything, I should have roughly 25k saved up (worst case scenario) after accounting for all of my expenses. I will need a car, housing, and furniture. How should I budget and invest accordingly? Thank you.

I know the AMEX Plat is obviously very popular among service members, but I thought I'd share this data point about the AMEX Gold card if it hasn't been shared already. The 4X Points on U.S. grocery stores also applies to the commissaries overseas (I am in Germany). I figured in theory that would be the case, but after checking my statement they are indeed being coded as located in the U.S.

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Also, if you got the 20% back on dining promotion it also worked for me in the food court on base. So if you are OCONUS and on the fence about it, it is something to think about.

I’m split between renting and buying. These houses that don’t have nightmare commutes are between 600k-800k. I know my mortgage and bills is going to be higher than bah.

Ive bought two other houses that are working out so far with great renters, but they were $290k and $265k. So this is a whole different level of investment. Still owe a grand total of about $300k on both of those. (No other debt)

I’m a senior O4, my wife makes about the same amount as I do in the private sector. We’re bringing in between 250k and 300k depending on her bonus.

Interest rates are also much higher than they used to be.

The amazon thing is in my head so I’m thinking it’ll bump home values a bit. Also bah is so F’ing high here, I’d feel like a lunatic to just pour $3100 a month bah into a rental or stay on post.

Here’s the rub. I never get to stay anywhere long. With deployments and pcs’s (in 18 years of service) I’ve never lived at one address for much more than a year.

What are your thoughts? Dive into this mother of all mortgage payments for a possible great investment? Or stay safe?

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